Are men's perceptions of sexually dimorphic vocal characteristics related to their testosterone levels?

Kandrik, M. , Hahn, A. C. , Wincenciak, J. , Fisher, C. I., Pisanski, K., Feinberg, D. R., Debruine, L. M. and Jones, B. C. (2016) Are men's perceptions of sexually dimorphic vocal characteristics related to their testosterone levels? PLoS ONE, 11(11), e0166855. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166855) (PMID:27875569) (PMCID:PMC5119782)

[img]
Preview
Text
131434.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

591kB

Abstract

Feminine physical characteristics in women are positively correlated with markers of their mate quality. Previous research on men’s judgments of women’s facial attractiveness suggests that men show stronger preferences for feminine characteristics in women’s faces when their own testosterone levels are relatively high. Such results could reflect stronger preferences for high quality mates when mating motivation is strong and/or following success in male-male competition. Given these findings, the current study investigated whether a similar effect of testosterone occurs for men’s preferences for feminine characteristics in women’s voices. Men’s preferences for feminized versus masculinized versions of women’s and men’s voices were assessed in five weekly test sessions and saliva samples were collected in each test session. Analyses showed no relationship between men’s voice preferences and their testosterone levels. Men’s tendency to perceive masculinized men’s and women’s voices as more dominant was also unrelated to their testosterone levels. Together, the results of the current study suggest that testosterone-linked changes in responses to sexually dimorphic characteristics previously reported for men's perceptions of faces do not occur for men's perceptions of voices.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hahn, Dr Amanda and Wincenciak, Dr Joanna and DeBruine, Professor Lisa and Kandrik, Dr Michal and Jones, Professor Benedict and Fisher, Dr Claire
Authors: Kandrik, M., Hahn, A. C., Wincenciak, J., Fisher, C. I., Pisanski, K., Feinberg, D. R., Debruine, L. M., and Jones, B. C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:PLoS ONE
Publisher:Public Library of Science
ISSN:1932-6203
ISSN (Online):1932-6203
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Kandrik et al
First Published:First published in PLoS One 11(10):e0166855
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
591541ESRC Doctoral Training Centre 2011...Mary Beth KneafseyEconomic & Social Research Council (ESRC)ES/J500136/1VPO VICE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE
604381OCMATE�\200\224 Do oral contraceptives alter women�\200\231s mate preferences?Benedict JonesEuropean Research Council (ERC)OCMATE FP7ERC28RI NEUROSCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY